WELLINGTON HOCKEY SEASON REVIEWED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 143, 13 March 1937, Page 4

WELLINGTON HOCKEY SEASON REVIEWED

Small Representative Programme The programme of reprertentative hockey matched was lighter last year than in previous weadous owing to bad weather conditions and the large entries in club championships, says the annual report of the Wellington Hockey Association, to be presented at the annual meeting on Tuesday evening. The biggest disappointment of the Wellington's inability to play matches with the two travelling Canterbury teams and the cancellation of the match between the Wellington and Christchurch Indian teams owing to the waterlogged condition of all the grounds following heavy rain. Another disappointment was the cancellation of the junior and senior representative games with Nelson owing to the visitors being unable to obtain accommodation on the boat from Nelson. As the heavy programme and wet weather precluded the association from extending an invitation to Napier and Hastings representatives to visit Wellington during the season it is hoped that such a visit may be arranged early in the 1937 season.

“Sticks donated have greatly encouraged hocked in schools, and a record number of teams were interested in the schools’ competition,” continues the report. “In consequence of the material being available the enthusiasm of teachers has also been stimulated. Owing to the city council by-laws preventing the playing of boys under 13 years after noon on Saturdays on city grounds it was not possible to arrange a schoolboy representative match during the season. It is thought that it would greatly assist the interest of hoekey in schools, and it is hoped that arrangements may be made in the 1937 season for such a match. “The thanks of the association are due to the headmasters and teachers concerned. and to Messrs. Peachey and Rust for the keen interest taken by them in the affairs of the sub-association. “It is with pleasure that we report the entry of five Wellington College teams in the competitions. While most of the boys were absolutely new to the game, their enthusiasm should carry them to the top as soon as they have the necessary experience. The association’s thanks are due to Mr. Armour and to Messrs. Arnold and Lidgard for the keen interest they took for the encouragement of hockey in the college. It is hoped that other secondary schools will also enter teams in the competitions.”